How-to Guides » OLD GUIDE Buy a car for less

A car is a significant purchase. Take your time and ensure that you get the best possible deal.

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Do your research

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1) Be prepared
If you know what price you should expect to pay you'll stand less chance of being ripped off. Search big car sales sites like Auto Trader to make sure you’re paying the best price. You should also check sites like Parkers and What Car?, and national car dealers, to ensure that you know exactly how much a used car is likely to cost you.

2) Get the right car for you!
Whether a petrol or diesel car is more cost effective depends on how far you drive. The cost of diesel per mile is lower than petrol, but the price of a diesel car is higher. Find out how far you need to drive to break even using this cost calculator.

It also helps if you factor in depreciation, as diesel cars tend not to depreciate at the same rate, and can also be cheaper to insure.

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Tips on this task (9)

5

mknee said

Be Very careful with diesel powered cars that are more tha 5 years old.
Modern diesels are very, very complicated engines and cost an awful lot of money if they go wrong, much more so than the equivilent petrol powered car.
I owned a "HDi" Diesel & the extra repair bills wiped out my fuel savings & more besides.
I now drive a petrol engined car again!

Report on 05 November 2009 | Love 0 love
350

Mike10613 said

Buy private, car dealers are in it to make a profit. Go to look at cars at the sellers home. Look at their home if it's in good condition and well looked after there is a chance they treat their car and the rest of their belongings with respect too. Check little things like the rubbers on the pedals for wear; light wear is good. You can usually get a discount on the asking price for cash; this doesn't work with a dealer any more; they want commission on the credit agreement. Take someone with you who is good with cars or get an AA inspection. Check all the usual stuff, oil, tyres (including the spare) and take it for a test drive. A large car may cost more to run but have the room you need and be much cheaper because demand is lower. the depreciation on an older large car is a lot less and they tend to have a larger engine that will last longer than a small engine; generally speaking. A lot of disabled people need a larger car or even a 4 wheel drive too. Even though they tend to be preferred by women taking their kids to school over the speed humps that they campaigned for!

Report on 08 November 2009 | Love 0 love
4

Mullerman said

Dont forget the 'free' carpets! (£75 in a mini).

Report on 23 December 2009 | Love 0 love
78

bellini said

My brother is a bit of a wheeler dealer and has a talent for negotiation. Sometimes he takes cash with him (the amount that he thinks is fair - not the asking price!) and offers it there and then. That is often pretty persuasive.

Report on 23 December 2009 | Love 0 love
1

simonm said

I have used a spreadsheet in the past. This doesnt have to be a complicated computer-based format; a single sheet of A4 with the car models down one side and the factors along the top. It then has everything all in view together and it is then very easy to make decisions on model and also target price.
Finally dont let your heart rule your head. Its very easy to succumb to a car's 'pavement appeal'!!

Report on 02 January 2010 | Love 0 love
172

oldhenry said

The biggest loss ,and cost, is depreciation . So don't keep changing cars, I keep mine 10 to 14 years to wring every once out of them. Also , get easy to repair models- not so easy now I know-

Report on 04 January 2010 | Love 0 love
0

nicklevy said

Dont buy a new one - first 6 - 12 months of a cars life are its most expensive.
The best option is nearly new if you really want the latest model

Report on 05 May 2010 | Love 0 love
0

Turflocks said

Look on ebay for cars that did not sell or reach the reserve( track them in "watch this item" in my ebay. If the car looks right and is not too far away contact the seller direct. Chances are you can negotiate a good deal as the seller probably thinks nobody wants his car as it did not sell on ebay

Report on 09 June 2010 | Love 0 love
5

Mark Vickery said

I tend to buy a 2-3 year old car with low mileage and a good service history and dive it until it is 5-6 years old.
That way you don't pay over the odds for a new car, but still have a car that is in good working order. Most modern cars, if looked after, still run fine at 5-6 years old, but after that they start getting expensive.

Report on 21 June 2010 | Love 0 love

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